Lawmakers warn refinery closures could drive California gas prices higher

California lawmakers are warning that refinery closures and declining in-state oil production could drive gas prices even higher and create national security concerns. Rep. Vince Fong and Assemblymember Stan Ellis say the expected shutdown of the Valero refinery in Benicia and the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles could cut the state’s refining capacity by nearly 20%, increasing dependence on foreign imports, particularly from India. They argue this threatens fuel supplies for more than 30 military bases and could push consumer prices sharply upward. Experts say California has no backup plan and could see per-gallon prices reach double digits if refinery closures and a key pipeline shutdown occur. Gov. Newsom’s office did not comment; he recently approved new drilling permits in Kern County, which advocates say is not enough to offset supply losses.

#CaliforniaGasPrices
#EnergySecurity
#RefineryClosures
#OilProduction
#CaliforniaNews


Get the news today live and weather with the free ABC10+ TV streaming app: https://www.abc10.com/article/about-u...
Subscribe at: https://goo.gl/vai8Eu
Find ABC10 online: https://www.abc10.com/
Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.abc10.com/email
Stream ABC10 on Roku: https://channelstore.roku.com/details...
Stream ABC10 on Amazon Fire: https://www.amazon.com/Gannett-Broadc...
Stream ABC10 on AppleTV: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc10...
Like ABC10 on Facebook:   / abc10tv  
Like ABC10 on Instagram:   / abc10tv  
Follow ABC10 on Twitter:   / abc10  
App download Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
App download iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/abc10-n...